When does Quercus velutina bloom?

Quercus velutina produces small yellow green catkins in April and May, usually as the new leaves are unfolding.

What pollinators are associated with Quercus velutina?

Bees and beetles visit the catkins of Quercus velutina to collect pollen, although the tree is primarily wind pollinated like other oaks.

What soil and light conditions suit Quercus velutina best?

This oak does best in full sun with medium moisture, but it tolerates drier, rocky, or sandy sites once it becomes established.

Does Quercus velutina keep its leaves in winter?

No. Quercus velutina is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall, though some dry brown leaves can persist on younger trees into winter.

Is Quercitron Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Quercitron Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Quercitron Oak HOA-friendly?

Quercitron Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Quercitron Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus velutina

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus velutina is a deciduous oak that grows in full sun with medium water needs, doing well in upland woodlands and dry rocky or sandy soils across the eastern and central United States.

Quercitron Oak (Quercus velutina) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Quercitron Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

480"–1200" H × 360"–720" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Quercitron oak is a large native deciduous tree that can reach 40-100 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown. It produces deeply lobed leaves that turn yellow to brown in fall and develops deeply furrowed dark bark with age. This long-lived oak is well-adapted to full sun and average moisture conditions.

Growing Quercitron Oak

Grow Quercitron Oak in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 480 to 1200 inches tall and spread 360 to 720 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Quercitron Oak is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Drops acorns and leaves seasonally
Requires adequate space for mature size

Wildlife value

Host plant for red-spotted purple butterfly, imperial moth, banded hairstreak.

This oak supports numerous pollinators including native bees and beetles during its spring bloom period. As a keystone species, it hosts hundreds of butterfly and moth caterpillars and provides acorns for wildlife.

Common questions

When does Quercus velutina bloom?: Quercus velutina produces small yellow green catkins in April and May, usually as the new leaves are unfolding.
What pollinators are associated with Quercus velutina?: Bees and beetles visit the catkins of Quercus velutina to collect pollen, although the tree is primarily wind pollinated like other oaks.
What soil and light conditions suit Quercus velutina best?: This oak does best in full sun with medium moisture, but it tolerates drier, rocky, or sandy sites once it becomes established.
Does Quercus velutina keep its leaves in winter?: No. Quercus velutina is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall, though some dry brown leaves can persist on younger trees into winter.
Is Quercitron Oak toxic to dogs?: Quercitron Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Quercitron Oak toxic to cats?: Quercitron Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Quercitron Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Quercitron Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Quercitron Oak HOA-friendly?: Quercitron Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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